For the third FIFA World Cup edition running, Switzerland made it through to the knockout stages and did so by beating Serbia in a five-goal thriller.
Murat Yakin's side led through Xherdan Shaqiri but were pegged back by Aleksandar Mitrovic & Dusan Vlahovic. Breel Embolo made sure the Swiss would head into the break at level terms and soon after the restart, Remo Freuler fired home the winning goal in the 48th minute.
Switzerland finished second in Group G with six points & will now face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the pre-quarterfinals.
Murat Yakin's side led through Xherdan Shaqiri but were pegged back by Aleksandar Mitrovic & Dusan Vlahovic. Breel Embolo made sure the Swiss would head into the break at level terms and soon after the restart, Remo Freuler fired home the winning goal in the 48th minute.
Switzerland finished second in Group G with six points & will now face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the pre-quarterfinals.
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SportsTranscript
00:00An enthralling group stage reaches its climax.
00:06One final night of twists and turns and to-ing and fro-ing in the tables before the knockout stages begin.
00:13It's another night on which nails will be bitten, heart rates will fluctuate and the ups and downs of football will be evident for all to see.
00:23And so to the final head-scratching, nerve-jangling, ifs, buts and maybes filled group stage night.
00:28So much is still possible in Group G, so many could still celebrate come full-time, but only two nations ultimately can prosper and one spot is already taken.
00:42Lightning starts perhaps here for the Swiss, who might grab the lead early, out towards Xhaka, repelled by Milinkovic-Savic, and drama from the off.
00:52Wow, what a start that was.
00:56Switzerland got down the round side, the ball seemed to come in and certainly just can't get rid of it.
01:01Managed to block.
01:03More luck than judgement at times, but the goalkeeper did really well.
01:07Vargas, nicely done, to find Riccardo Rodriguez.
01:12A rare gallop forward from him in these early stages.
01:14It might work out well for them.
01:16Gibril Soe lays it off, and in it goes!
01:21Zjedan Shaqiri!
01:28The Swiss tighten their grip on second spot in the group,
01:32and are doing everything they can to extend their stay at the World Cup Finals.
01:38Serbia on the attack here.
01:40Mitrovic prowling in the middle, there he is!
01:47A textbook header, from a man who can't help himself, but score goals for club and country.
01:57That rolls the way of Serbia.
02:01And here's Vlajevic, still gets to it!
02:03Brilliant!
02:04Brilliant!
02:04Serbia's strikers are doing the damage!
02:13Shaqiri gives it away, then about the run.
02:16It's a great run and a great little ball, and they still couldn't get rid of it,
02:18but I think how early he took that strike.
02:22Quite dangerous to defend against.
02:26Shaqiri to Soe, and on again, and Mbolo's waiting!
02:32And scoring!
02:33All right, Malukovic, Savage, gets up, the goalkeeper.
02:41Puts his arms out, and going, where on earth would my defence then?
02:45Far too easy.
02:48Shaqiri backing up.
02:52Attempting the ball in.
02:53It's very neatly done.
02:55That's a gorgeous goal!
02:56That is a stunning Swiss strike.
03:05And Switzerland wrestle control back over the game.
03:07From a Serbia point of view, it's far too easy, that three goals have gone in, absolutely far too easy.
03:13Mahkanji.
03:19Ahkanji.
03:20Trying to find a gap, to find a teammate.
03:23it's there for Embelo
03:32Fernandez finds the ball through chance to finish it
03:36Milinkovic Savic to the rescue for Serbia if Switzerland hear the whistle in a matter of seconds
03:46and there it is
03:50they had a scare or two along the way tonight
03:53but for the third world cup running
03:56Switzerland will try their luck in the knockout stages
04:01Serbia two Switzerland three